Darkness Devours

Part 4

Mark struggled to breathe as his Dark version held him off the floor.  His eyes locked on the long sharp fangs that his Dark version had grown.  With a throaty snarl, his Dark version slammed him back against the bathroom mirror, shattering pieces of glass all over the floor.  The blow had left black spots around his vision and he felt like blood was dripping from his nose.  He had lost any will to resist as his Dark version flung him to the floor carelessly.  His brain appeared to be offline... he didn't have the strength to move and when he tried it was like the world was tossing over a rough sea.  He managed to force himself to crawl toward the bathroom door... but nowhere near fast enough to escape.  Mark could only watch as his Dark version walked easily into his path.  Freezing up, Mark forced himself to look up at the grinning face of... it.  The Dark version menacingly kneeled down before him, whipping the blood away from Mark's nose.  Then made a show of licking it off his thumb like it was an exotic delicacy.  Mark forced himself to push up on all fours, he didn't have much strength but he wasn't going to just lay down and take this! 

Gathering his strength, Mark pooled his will into a single punch that was aimed for the chin of his Dark version!  Who caught his fist like he was he was expecting it!  Mark stared at his captured fist in shock, as his Dark version tilted his head to eye Mark with one of his solid black eyes.  His Dark version flashed him a fanged grin, telling Mark in a deeper voice that was unmistakably... his own!  "So you do have some fight in you. It won't be enough. You can't fight a better version of yourself. What is it that you keep referring to me as...? The darker version of you? I like it".  Mark gave him a look of confusion, but his Dark version wasn't looking at his face anymore.  He released Mark's fist a split second, before clutching Mark's jaw tightly!  Yanking him close enough that he could feel his warm breath against his throat.  Mark's mind raced out of control trying to think of something to protect himself!  His thoughts halted just as his Dark version whispered against the flesh of his neck.  "If you insist on calling me something; then call me... Darkiplier".  Mark was only briefly able to process the name, before a sharp pain shot up his throat! 

An agonizing scream burst from Mark's lungs and he shot bolt upright in bed!  Everyone in the room jumped in surprise, but it was Ken who pushed him slowly back down on the bed.  Mark rapidly took in the room, grabbing Ken's arm desperately asking in a panic.  "What happened"?  Ken placed a cool hand to his forehead, shakily answering.  "We were trying to figure that out ourselves... We heard you scream in the basement and when we finally got down there, you were unconscious. We were going to take you to the hospital, but the gate is chained up. So, I moved you up here".  Mark released Ken's arm, trying to sit up again, but Ken carefully pushed him back down.  Felix paced the length of the room anxiously, asking him uneasily.  "What happened down there, Mark? Tell me this is a prank you are pulling".  Ryan didn't give Mark any time to answer as he told everyone sharply.  "Guys! The police refuse to come here! They said no one ever leaves this house! That it is cursed! Mark, I thought you got permission to be here"?!

Ken piped up then to Mark's defense, snapping back.  "Guys! Calm Down! What is panicking and bickering going to solve? The caretaker will be back in the morning. So, we stay together for the night. Alright"?  Everyone went silent, but the air was thick with tension.  Matt was the first to cross his arms and mutter out bitterly.  "And if the caretaker doesn't come back"?  Ken sighed lightly, but confidently answered.  "Then we climb the wall. It's not as bad as you're making this out to be".  Felix huffed loudly, snapping out as he started pacing again.  "Right. Anyone want to bring up the fact that something dragged Mark into the basement! Something is in the house, Ken"!  Mark slowly reached up to run his fingers along his neck, where Darkiplier had bit him.  He expected to find two holes... but his neck was smooth to the touch.  Quickly, Mark touched his nose to see if his nose was bleeding... it wasn't.  Had he dreamed up Darkiplier? Was the thing in the basement something else?  Ken answered Felix with a calm demeanor.  "Whatever it was singled out, Mark. We stay together and it we have a better chance of overpowering it". 

As the night rolled in, everyone picked a spot in the room and began to sleep in turns.  Mark volunteered for the first shift since he felt responsible for them being here.  He didn't even plan to wake anyone up.  He just wanted to let them sleep off this awful day.  The trickiest part was trying to stay awake.  He had a million things he could do at home to keep himself from sleeping... but here all he was able to do was pace around the room or sit in silence.  Checking the clock on his phone,  a flicker of joy warmed him.  Jack would be up now.  He could only imagine how he must be worrying about him.  If the thirty missed calls had anything to say about it.  He had tried to call him earlier, but he hadn't picked up.  Muting his phones volume, he sent a short text to Jack that read.  "I'm alright. Don't worry. Feel like texting to pass the time"?  Mark had only just sent it out, when he heard a dark laugh that sounded like him... but wasn't coming from him.  It appeared to be coming from every part of the room!  Freezing to the spot, Mark searched every corner of the room with his eyes.  All the light's in the room began to flicker, and his breath caught in his throat, when he turned around to found himself face to face with Darkiplier!  To Be Continued...